Mary Katherine (Sackmann) Nicholson passed into the arms of the Lord on June 5, 2017 at her home in Normandy Park, Washington. Mary Katherine was a daughter of Nancy Lee and Milton P. Sackmann. She grew up in Ritzville, Washington, and then attended and became a proud graduate of the University of Washington where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
Mary Katherine married Brent Nicholson on Dec. 3, 1983. Over the years they lived in Bellevue, Kirkland, Sandy Point, San Francisco and Normandy Park.
Mary Katherine is survived by her husband Brent, daughter Olivia, and son William at the family home in Normandy Park. She is also survived by her mother, Nancy, of Ritzville; her brother Tom of Spokane, her sister Jane of Olympia, and brother Marty of Ritzville; as well as nieces, nephews, sisters- and brothers-in-law. She was predeceased by her father, Milton.
After her children and husband, the love of Mary Katherine’s life was the arts, particularly dance and theatre. She devoted her time and energy to giving those around her the opportunity to learn, participate in and enjoy being part of the production. Although she performed throughout Seattle, she became very involved with the Lynden Performing Arts Guild and the Claire vg Thomas Theatre. She enjoyed performing in theatre productions and eventually became the guild artistic director. The guild, under her leadership, took the productions of “Annie Get Your Gun,” “South Pacific” and “Always, Patsy Cline” on the road to her hometown of Ritzville and other areas so people could have the opportunity to enjoy live theatre.
Mary Katherine was committed to providing the children in her small hometown of Ritzville with the opportunity to participate in dance and theatre that they might not otherwise have. Each summer since she was 16 years old, she provided several weeks of instruction in tap, ballet, modern dance and theatre for children from 3 to high school age. The workshop culminated in an annual recital that drew about 300 friends, proud parents and grandparents eager to see what their children had learned. Every child felt the special caring that Mary Katherine put into their chance to be onstage. She took special joy in having her own children Olivia and William join in the productions.
Mary Kathrine touched many people during her journey through life and they knew her as a person who always wanted things to be done right, was generous and made those around her feel special.
A graveside burial will be held July 8 at the family ranch in Ewan, Washington, with a Celebration of Life at the Ritzville fairgrounds beginning at 1 p.m.
A funeral service will also be held on July 15 at 1 p.m. in St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 1005 SW 152nd St., Burien. If you do plan to attend, her daughter Olivia has suggested that you wear something “blue” as that was Mary Katherine’s favorite color.
A memorial fund is established at the UW Foundation; earmark for Teal Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Research Fund.
